senate majority leader harry reid has a plan to let tax cuts expire for households making more than $250,000 a year along with short-term spending cuts instead of the long-term cuts that would happen if there is nodule. >> the american people are waiting for the ball to drop but it's not going to be a good drop because americans' taxes are approaching the wrong direction. >> reporter: negotiations between president obama and house republican leaders stalled last week. the house is now leaving it up to the democratic-controlled senate to solve the problem before the new year deadline. in addition to the "fiscal cliff," treasury secretary timothy geithner warned congress that the u.s. is close to hitting its debt limit of $16.4 trillion. geithner saved the government will take steps to allow more burrough after december 31. danielle nottingham, cbs news, washington. >>> let's look now at the markets. stocks fell sharply by 55 and change. the drop is attributed to consumer confidence falling to the lowest level since august. >>> the storm that moved across the country pushing northeast through